New Cellular Phone Tower Approved for Manchester

The Manchester Township Council, at its July 8 meeting, awarded a contract to New Cingular Wireless PCS (AT&T) for installation of a cellular antennae at 1420 Roosevelt Boulevard in Whiting.

According to the contract, AT&T will pay the township $40,000 per year in rent.  The contract is the end result of a bid process, where AT&T was the highest bidder.

Township Business Administrator Elena Zsoldas said there is a chance that the tower could generate even more income.

"As part of the agreement, AT&T will solicit for co-locators," said Zsoldos. "Other cell service operators could put their own antennas on the tower, which provide us with more revenue."

Zsoldos said in addition to the added income for the township, the tower should improve cellular phone service in Manchester.

"There have been complaints over the years of dead zones," she said.  

The tower is not expected to impact residents, according to Zsoldos.

"It's really isolated," said Zsoldos. "The nearest resident is over 50 feet away."

Officials did not know when construction of the tower would begin.

This story was written by Lynne Richmond.